He Wants to Sleep with Me, So Scary
Today is my twentieth day working the night shift at the convenience store, and also the nineteenth day I’ve seen that man.
The store’s obnoxious, blaring, ear-piercing welcome music rang out again just as I was adding radish into the oden pot.
Not because customers would actually come buy it this late at night—honestly, I was just craving some.
As a university student who suffers through classes during the day and slaves away at a part-time job at night, I think my cravings can totally be forgiven.
Besides, even the store manager said I could eat whatever I wanted from the store.
“Do you still have kelp knots today?”
That familiar low, deep voice came again. I looked up past the man in front of me and glanced at the clock behind him.
Exactly ten o’clock.
So punctual it made me wonder if this guy was some kind of lingering spirit bound to this place.
Every night at ten sharp, he shows up in the store, here to bother me—an innocent, righteous, and poor college student.
“Lucky you, last two skewers.” I grabbed a paper cup for oden and fished out two kelp knots from the broth. “Anything else?”
“Add two pieces of radish too.”
…
Breathe, Ji Chi, breathe. The customer is always right.
Nope, can’t stand it anymore. I’m a college student, my rules.
“These were what I was planning to eat…”
Ugh, Ji Chi, why did you say that in such a weak voice! Where’s your backbone!
The man let out a low laugh. “Then switch it to tempura, and add two skewers of beef balls.”
“Fine.”
Once I finished gathering everything, I very viciously scooped soup from the third compartment into his cup.
That section had spice packs soaking in it. The longer they boiled, the saltier they got.
Let’s see if you don’t get salted to death.
“The forecast says it’ll snow tonight.” He finished scanning and paying, but instead of leaving, he leaned against the counter to eat.
That’s when I finally caught the name on his employee badge—Zhou Shou.
His title: Marketing Director.
No wonder he got off work so late.
“The snow’s supposed to last until tomorrow morning. How are you getting back to school after your night shift?”
How does he know I’m going back to school? Is he stalking me?!
This guy’s a creep!
No wonder he’s been showing up on the dot these past days. Turns out he was monitoring me!
“I’m not going back to school. No classes tomorrow. I can wait here till the snow stops and then head home.”
Wait, why am I even answering him?
“Come to my place after your shift. I’ll wait for you.” Zhou Shou said it so casually.
That line exploded in my head like a bomb.
“Wha—what do you mean?”
“I. Want. To. Sleep. With. You.” He spelled it out word by word.
Did I hear that right?
If I report to the manager that I was harassed during work, will I get compensation?
Seriously, what’s this Zhou Shou’s deal? I’m just a plain, broke part-timer. If he’s so desperate for that kind of thing, why come to a convenience store?!
Nobody told me working here would involve this kind of ridiculous encounter!
“Sorry, Mr. Zhou, but this is a convenience store.” I put on my professional fake smile and carefully reminded him, “However, if you need, we do have some essentials available here.”
I pointed at the shelf next to the register.
Zhou Shou’s eyes shifted to the colorful rows of condoms. He raised a brow. “Which flavor do you like?”
Who said “the customer is always right”? Can I punch God now?
I swallowed my rage, practically grinding my teeth. “Mr. Zhou, I can sue you for harassment.”
“Sorry, I just… I thought you were… back at the bar…”
And then it hit me.
My previous job lasted only two miserable hours, but it left me with lifelong trauma.
Sometimes high-paying jobs pop up in the recruitment group. Spots are rare, so when I finally snagged one, I was thrilled.
The listing said bar singing, marketing drinks. High commission.
I could sing a little, my looks were decent enough, so I applied. Only after arriving did I realize it was basically a host club.
When some greasy guy put his hand on my thigh, I lost it and slapped him.
Turns out that slap cost me 5,000 yuan.
Can the recruitment group admin reimburse me for that?
And this man—didn’t he see the whole scene that time?
Not important. The fact that he just asked to sleep with me is proof enough he’s no different from those guys.
Zhou Shou’s gaze was full of apology. He scratched his head, stammering, “Uh… I didn’t mean—I wasn’t—”
Wasn’t what?
You’re a full-grown man, a director no less, and you can’t even get your words straight?
“I want to pursue you, Ji Chi.”
Me, Ji Chi, age twenty, ordinary college student, from a family that can’t even be called middle-class, destined to live a plain, forgettable life.
And now here’s this clean-cut man, dark circles from overwork shadowing his eyes, nearly 1.9 meters tall, scratching his head, saying he wants to pursue me.
Can the convenience store please hurry up and get a pharmaceutical sales license? Some people really do need meds.
“Mr. Zhou, you must have mistaken me for someone else?”
Maybe there’s someone out there who looks exactly like me—the unreachable white moonlight in his heart?
Do I have a long-lost twin?
“No. The one I’m looking for is you, Ji Chi.”
Zhou Shou put down his oden and leaned closer. I instinctively stepped back, but the space was too small. After a few steps I was already pressed against the wall.
Seeing me spooked, the man sighed and backed off a little. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
Then he continued, “That day, I heard you sing at the bar. Later I saw you go over to entertain a table, and I thought you were… I got so mad I left. Never thought I’d run into you again here.” He paused for breath. “You sing really well. I liked it a lot.”
I just stood there, stunned, trying to sort through his words in my head.
For a while, I didn’t know what to say.
Thankfully, the coworker for the next shift arrived early, shattering the awkward tension.
“The snow’s getting heavier. Xiao Ji, be careful on your way back. You go first, I’ll clock you out.”
“Oh, thanks, Li-ge.”
When the coworker walked in, Zhou Shou had already moved toward the entrance. Once I stepped out, he draped his coat over me.
Snow dusted his hair and shoulders. I honestly didn’t know what to say, so I muttered a small thank you.
“I’ll send you back to school.” Zhou Shou said it lightly.
“No need, I’ll just take a cab—” I didn’t even finish before Zhou Shou grabbed my wrist and started leading me toward the office building’s underground parking lot.
“Looks like you don’t want to go back to school. Then come to my place.”
Wait, what kind of twisted logic is that?!
I didn’t say anything! How did it turn into going to his house?!